I Tie My Hat-i Crease My Shawl

Emily Dickinson

443

I tie my Hat—I crease my Shawl—
Life’s little duties do—precisely—
As the very least
Were infinite—to me—

I put new Blossoms in the Glass—
And throw the old—away—
I push a petal from my gown
That anchored there—I weigh
The time ’twill be till six o’clock
I have so much to do—
And yet—Existence—some way back—
Stopped—struck—my tickling—through—
We cannot put Ourself away
As a completed Man
Or Woman—When the Errand’s done
We came to Flesh—upon—
There may be—Miles on Miles of Nought—
Of Action—sicker far—
To simulate—is stinging work—
To cover what we are
From Science—and from Surgery—
Too Telescopic Eyes
To bear on us unshaded—
For their—sake—not for Ours—
’Twould start them—
We—could tremble—
But since we got a Bomb—
And held it in our Bosom—
Nay—Hold it—it is calm—

Therefore—we do life’s labor—
Though life’s Reward—be done—
With scrupulous exactness—
To hold our Senses—on—

Next 10 Poems

• Emily Dickinson : I Took My Power In My Hand
• Emily Dickinson : I Took One Draught Of Life-
• Emily Dickinson : I Tried To Think A Lonelier Thing
• Emily Dickinson : I Want-it Pleaded-all Its Life
• Emily Dickinson : I Was A Phoebe-nothing More-
• Emily Dickinson : I Was The Slightest In The House
• Emily Dickinson : I Watched The Moon Around The House
• Emily Dickinson : I Watcher Her Face To See Which Way
• Emily Dickinson : I Went To Heaven,--
• Emily Dickinson : I Went To Thank Her

Previous 10 Poems

• Emily Dickinson : I Thought The Train Would Never Come-
• Emily Dickinson : I Thought That Nature Was Enough
• Emily Dickinson : I Think To Live-may Be A Bliss
• Emily Dickinson : I Think The Longest Hour Of All
• Emily Dickinson : I Think The Hemlock Likes To Stand
• Emily Dickinson : I Think That The Root Of The Wind Is Water-
• Emily Dickinson : I Think Just How My Shape Will Rise
• Emily Dickinson : I Think I Was Enchanted
• Emily Dickinson : I Tend My Flowers For Thee
• Emily Dickinson : I Taste A Liquor Never Brewed